"The February 1983 Chicago Magazine, in an article by contributing editor William Brashier, "The anatomy of Chicago's pols" has grossly insulted the Chicago community. His main themes: that Chicago politicians can't appear to be soft, and that being soft is the same as being limp-wristed and gay. He makes comments like 'the aptly named Harvey Milk.' The Task Force is writing to protest and demand a written apology, as are others. Check the article out. Simply put, it's awful."

1990

An article by Danny Kopelson in Gay Chicago begins:

"Les Ballet Trockadero de Monte Carlo has miraculously survived since 1974 in what could easily have been a gimmick; all male, travesty ballets. The 'Trocks' were formed by a group of ballet enthusiasts for the purpose of presenting a 'playful, entertaining view of traditional, classical ballet.' Performing mostly in late-late shows in off-off Broadway lofts, the 'Trocks' quickly gained major critical acclaim and artistic success.

"By 1975, the Trocks' knowledge of dance and comic approach which proved that men can dance en pointe without falling flat on their fannies was being noted beyond New York. The company was becoming known nationally and internationally.

"As their reputation grew, so did their professionalism. The 'Trocks; signed on with a management company, received a grant from the National Endowment of the Arts Touring Program, and hired a full-time ballet mistress to oversee daily classes and rehearsals. It was a year of packing and repacking tutus and giant-sized toe shoes."

"Donald E. Waters died on December 11, 2000. His peaceful departure from this life brought an end to his hard-fought struggle with AIDS.

"Mr. Waters was employed at Big Chicks and made many friends in his nine years there. He will be greatly missed and remembered.

"A remembrance memorial will be held at 7:30 p.m. February 6, 2001 in the Salon at Big Chicks.

"Happy trails to you, Donald."

+++

IMAGE: Women and Children First – Windy City Times October 16, 1986

An article in Gay Chicago begins:

"The board of directors regrets to announce Alternative Health Partners, including the AIDS Alternative Health Project, have ceased operation, effective January 31.

"The agency began as the AIDS Health Project, an all volunteer effort to provide alternative therapies to HIV-positive people. In its 15-year history, the agency has grown to a multisite service organization, serving clients throughout the city. The agency changed its name to Alternative Health Partners in 1997 and opened a clinic to provide alternative therapies to non-HIV populations. Operations at the non-HIV Alternative Health Partners Clinic and the Uptown Clinic of the AIDS Alternative Health Project, both located at 4753 N. Broadway, have ceased operations."

William Burks photographs Gay Mennonites for Windy City Times October 16, 1986

Thanks go to publishers Michael Bergeron for Chicago Gay Crusader, Ralph and Craig Gernhardt for Gay Chicago, Grant Ford and Chuck Renslow for Gay Life, Malone Sizelove for Babble/Gab, David Costanza and others for Chicago Free Press, Jeff McCourt for Windy City Times, Stacy Bridges and Mark Nagel for GRAB, and Tracy Baim for all the publications at the Windy City Media Group, which aided the above research. St. Sukie de la Croix is an internationally published reporter, playwright, photographer and historian. He is also the author of Chicago Whispers: A History of LGBT Chicago Before Stonewall published by the University of Wisconsin Press.

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COMMENTS

GoPride.com columnist
Sukie de la Croix
is the feature writer of "Gay Chicago Rewind"
on the GoPride Network.